Well, I just booked my first trip with WestJet. As usual, I took a look at its reward program but ended up being very disappointed.
WestJet introduced its new program on March 4th this year. The program allows members to redeem travel dollars for full or partial travel with no black out dates. Basically you will put your WestJet dollars towards the purchase of any ticket at the going rate from WestJet. The more dollars you have the bigger the discount towards that travel.
In order to earn those WestJet dollars mentioned above, you must spend at least $1500 in a 12 month period with WestJet flights only. The 12 month period begins from the day you sign up with the WestJet Frequent Guest Program. The $1500 you have to spend is on base airfare excluding any taxes, fees or surcharges. Once you reach the $1500 level, you will receive $50 WestJet Dollars and then be able to earn 2.5% in WestJet Dollars on all WestJet flights after the $1500 level as well as 1% in WestJet Dollars for WestJet Vacations purchases. You will receive more WestJet Dollars and other rewards once you reach higher annual spend levels. You get the highest $300 WestJet Dollars when you spend $7500.
Well my main point here is the program’s downfall: First of all, the $1500 annual spend level will keep the most leisure travelers away unless they sign up for WestJet’s MasterCard or so. The spending is also per person based. For example, by booking your family of four a trip and spending $2000 in base fares, each person will only have $500 towards the first level.
The 12 month annual spend levels will make it tough for the less frequent flyer to accrue WestJet Dollars. While Air Canada’s Aeroplan has a 12 month inactivity rule, all you have to do is earn 1 or redeem 1 mile to keep your account and balance active. With WestJet if you don’t hit that $1500 in the 12 month period, say you spend $1350, you won’t get anything.
The 5 Year expiry on your earned dollars is about average for the industry but only for programs that have life span regulations on earned miles/dollars. Many Asian frequent flyer programs have a 3 year life span and in Canada Aeroplan has a 7 year life span while others have no life span as long as you have activity in your account.
~Henry
